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After winning the NCAA men's basketball tournament, the next step for Florida Gators stars Walter Clayton Jr. and Alex Condon is the 2025 NBA Draft.
Clayton and Condon led the Gators to an improbable comeback victory over the Houston Cougars on Monday night. Now, both players will focus their attention on potentially turning pro and trying to carve out a role for themselves in the NBA. It is worth noting that since 1976, every March Madness title winner has had at least one player selected top-30 on its roster.
According to Rookie Scale's latest consensus big board, the two Florida stars both fell outside of the top-30 rankings. ESPN's latest mock draft from last month did not even include Clayton as a second-round pick.
More: Is Walter Clayton Jr. an NBA Draft first-round pick after his incredible March Madness?
Now, however, both Clayton and Condon are predicted to hear their named called in the first round.
Here is what Jonathan Givony said about Clayton, projected at No. 28 overall to the Boston Celtics (via ESPN):
"Clayton helped his standing significantly in the NCAA tournament, posting an efficient 30 and 34 points in the Elite Eight and national championship semifinals, before struggling in the final but still helping his team cut down the nets. The 6-4 guard earned first-team All-America honors with his tremendous shotmaking prowess and all-around scoring, making big plays in clutch moments all season while creating chaos for opposing defenses with his speed and unpredictable nature.
NBA teams have questions about Clayton's defense, passing and feel for the game, as he can be mistake-prone on both ends of the floor and isn't blessed with great physical tools with his average size, length and strength. Scouts are comparing his NCAA tournament performance with Shabazz Napier a decade ago, which similarly earned him a spot in the late first round, though Clayton is taller and more explosive, but also a little more mercurial."
Since 2009, there are 14 seniors who (like Clayton) are listed at 6-foot-2 or under to earn first-team All-American honors. Five have gone undrafted, four were picked in the second round, and five have gone in the first round. That suggests about an even distribution of possible outcomes.
The same mock draft also predicted Condon would go with the following pick at No. 29 overall to the Phoenix Suns.
Here is more from Givony about Condon, a 20-year-old forward from Australia:
"Condon didn't have the best NCAA tournament. He was hampered by an ankle injury and struggled at times with his lack of offensive polish and the physicality of some of the bigger frontcourts he encountered. Still, his excellent feel for the game was evident with the way he passes and plugs gaps defensively off the ball, as well as his nonstop intensity. He ultimately helped Florida win the national championship, making some important plays in timely moments.
He will need to weigh the option of returning for his junior season with a possible spot in the late first or early second round, depending on how he fares in the predraft process. A team such as the Suns, who are shallow in the frontcourt, need to improve defensively, and already have established scoring options, could have interest. Still, it might not be easy for him to gauge his standing by the May 28 withdrawal deadline."
Condon could still decide to defend his championship with another year in the NCAA.
Neither player was included as a first-round pick in our latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft, but after their national title, perhaps that changes next time around.
Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win.
The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: ESPN's new 2025 NBA mock draft has Walter Clayton Jr. in first round
Continue reading...
Clayton and Condon led the Gators to an improbable comeback victory over the Houston Cougars on Monday night. Now, both players will focus their attention on potentially turning pro and trying to carve out a role for themselves in the NBA. It is worth noting that since 1976, every March Madness title winner has had at least one player selected top-30 on its roster.
According to Rookie Scale's latest consensus big board, the two Florida stars both fell outside of the top-30 rankings. ESPN's latest mock draft from last month did not even include Clayton as a second-round pick.
More: Is Walter Clayton Jr. an NBA Draft first-round pick after his incredible March Madness?
Now, however, both Clayton and Condon are predicted to hear their named called in the first round.
Here is what Jonathan Givony said about Clayton, projected at No. 28 overall to the Boston Celtics (via ESPN):
"Clayton helped his standing significantly in the NCAA tournament, posting an efficient 30 and 34 points in the Elite Eight and national championship semifinals, before struggling in the final but still helping his team cut down the nets. The 6-4 guard earned first-team All-America honors with his tremendous shotmaking prowess and all-around scoring, making big plays in clutch moments all season while creating chaos for opposing defenses with his speed and unpredictable nature.
NBA teams have questions about Clayton's defense, passing and feel for the game, as he can be mistake-prone on both ends of the floor and isn't blessed with great physical tools with his average size, length and strength. Scouts are comparing his NCAA tournament performance with Shabazz Napier a decade ago, which similarly earned him a spot in the late first round, though Clayton is taller and more explosive, but also a little more mercurial."
Since 2009, there are 14 seniors who (like Clayton) are listed at 6-foot-2 or under to earn first-team All-American honors. Five have gone undrafted, four were picked in the second round, and five have gone in the first round. That suggests about an even distribution of possible outcomes.
The same mock draft also predicted Condon would go with the following pick at No. 29 overall to the Phoenix Suns.
Here is more from Givony about Condon, a 20-year-old forward from Australia:
"Condon didn't have the best NCAA tournament. He was hampered by an ankle injury and struggled at times with his lack of offensive polish and the physicality of some of the bigger frontcourts he encountered. Still, his excellent feel for the game was evident with the way he passes and plugs gaps defensively off the ball, as well as his nonstop intensity. He ultimately helped Florida win the national championship, making some important plays in timely moments.
He will need to weigh the option of returning for his junior season with a possible spot in the late first or early second round, depending on how he fares in the predraft process. A team such as the Suns, who are shallow in the frontcourt, need to improve defensively, and already have established scoring options, could have interest. Still, it might not be easy for him to gauge his standing by the May 28 withdrawal deadline."
Condon could still decide to defend his championship with another year in the NCAA.
Neither player was included as a first-round pick in our latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft, but after their national title, perhaps that changes next time around.
Meanwhile, for more prospect coverage, here is our latest NBA mock draft at For The Win.
The best takes and the sharpest bets on all the hoops storylines you need to know. Sign up for our Layup Lines newsletter, hitting your inbox on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: ESPN's new 2025 NBA mock draft has Walter Clayton Jr. in first round
Continue reading...
